Differentiated Islamic Religious Education (PAI) for Students with Special Needs at the Junior High Level (SMPLB): Implementation, Challenges, and Teacher Strategies at the Special School (SLB) in East Lombok

Abstract

This study aims to describe the implementation of Islamic Religious Education (IRE) learning for children with special needs at the junior secondary special school (SMPLB) level, identify the challenges encountered by teachers, and describe the strategies employed to address these challenges. The study was conducted at SLB Negeri 3 Lombok Timur, focusing on the SMPLB level, which comprises students with three types of disabilities: intellectual disabilities, hearing impairments, and visual impairments. Islamic Religious Education at this level is not taught by a designated IRE teacher; instead, it is directly delivered by classroom teachers (homeroom teachers) according to the classes and types of disabilities for which they are responsible. This study employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive-exploratory multiple-case study design. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and documentation. The data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, which involves data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. Data trustworthiness was ensured through source and technique triangulation. The findings indicate that the implementation of Islamic Religious Education learning has been carried out through simplified and adapted stages of planning, implementation, and evaluation according to the types of disabilities, with variations in teaching methods and learning media across classes. The challenges encountered by teachers stem from the diverse characteristics of students' disabilities and the limited background in special education among some teachers. The strategies employed are both individual and collective-institutional in nature. Individual strategies include adapting teaching methods and learning media, while collective-institutional strategies involve teacher learning communities and classroom rotation across different types of disabilities. This study concludes that the success of Islamic Religious Education learning for children with special needs depends not only on teachers' ability to make individual adaptations but also on systemic support from the school.